Early 20th journalists started creating nicknames for the cyclists. This effort popularized the cycling sport and make the racers interesting to the people who were not interested in cycling much. This tradition is still continuing today. Here the list of cyclists’ nicknames in alphabetical order (by surname, starting with R):
By Surname: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W
| CYCLIST | NICKNAME | COUNTRY | BIRTH/DEATH | YEARS ACTIVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Rasmussen * | Chicken | Denmark | 01 Jun 1974 – |
1992- |
| Riccardo Riccò | The Pharmacist, The Cobra |
Italy | 01 Sep 1983 2006-2011 |
|
| Bjarne Riis | The Eagle of Herning | Denmark | 03 Apr 1964 – |
1986-1999 |
| Jean Robic | Old Leatherhead, Biquet |
France | 10 Jun 1921 06 Oct 1980 |
1943-1961 |
| Joaquim Rodríguez * | El Purito | Spain | 12 May 1979 – |
2001- |
| Tony Rominger | The Mouse, The Hammer, The Camel |
Switzerland | 27 Mar 1961 – |
1986-1997 |
| José Rujano * | Coffee Man | Venezuela | 18 Feb 1982 – |
2003- |
